NAC424.370. Doors and windows.

     1. Every opening in the exterior of the residential portion of a group home, except those used exclusively as fire exits, must be screened.

     2. Each child’s room must have at least one window that is accessible for exit in case of fire or other emergency.

     3. Every dwelling must have two exits at least 36 inches wide and 80 inches high which provide unobstructed travel to the outside of the building. Exits leading to the outside must not be through intervening rooms subject to locking. All exit corridors or hallways must be clear of obstructions. Mobile homes must have exits located at opposite sides or ends of the home. Apartment buildings with more than one story may be required to submit to an inspection by the local fire department or State Fire Marshal’s Office. Flexible ladders may be required for residences with more than one story.

     4. Exit doors from buildings may be equipped with a deadbolt lock, security chain or night latch if the lock, chain or latch can be opened from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge and is mounted no higher than 48 inches from the floor.

     5. Every lock on a bathroom door must be designed to permit the opening of the locked door from the outside through means which are readily available.

     6. Every closet door must be of a type that can be opened from the inside.

     7. No security bars are allowed on bedroom windows or doors used as an emergency exit or route of escape unless they can be opened fully by use of a single-action device located inside of the room or area. Opening mechanisms must be within the reach from the floor of any child for whom the home is licensed. Security bars must open with no more than two motions of the hand. Children must be trained, upon placement, to operate the mechanism. Group homes must not have bars over windows.

     8. Doors with security bars must not be locked except when all occupants are absent from the home.

     [Welfare Div., Req. for Foster Care part § 107.2, 10-7-88, eff. 1-1-89; A 10-19-90]—(NAC A by Div. of Child & Fam. Services, 11-14-97)

Notation

REVISER’S NOTE.

      The regulation of the Welfare Division of the Department of Human Resources (now the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services of the Department of Health and Human Services) that became effective October 19, 1990, and which amended subsections 3 and 7 of this section, contains the following provision not included in NAC:

      “Facilities licensed prior to October 19, 1990, must comply with the fire and safety standards in existence at the time of licensure and need not meet the new proposed requirements unless there is a change in license type or evacuation capability of the occupants.”